Socionics Blocks/Model A

(Excerpted from “The Opposing Personality: Recognizing the Archetypal Energy” by Carol Shumate, forthcoming in Bulletin of Psychological Type)

Psychiatrist and Jungian analyst John Beebe (ENTP) proposed a pioneering theory of the sequence of the eight mental functions in 1993 at the APT conference in Huntington Beach, CA [see chart below]. His theory posits that each of our four preferred functions has its opposite function in shadow: In other words, if our first function is Extraverted Intuition (Ne), our first shadow function, the 5th, will be Introverted Intuition (Ni). His theory further hypothesizes eight archetypes corresponding to the placement of each of Jung’s eight mental processes or functions in each personality type (see chart). The Hero function (1st) is mirrored by the Opposing Persona (2nd); the Good Parent function (2nd) is mirrored by the Witch/Senex (called Critical Parent by McAlpine); the Puer/Puella or Child function (3rd) is mirrored by the Trickster (7th); and the Anima/Animus (4th) is mirrored by the Demon/Daimon (8th).

Beebe’s purpose in identifying the function archetypes was to provide a window into the unconscious—a way of recognizing when we are operating from what Jung called ‘the shadow’ by identifying the archetypal energies associated with our shadow functions. Beebe drew the names for seven of the function archetypes from Jungian psychology (which recognizes many more than eight archetypes as active in the unconscious). Beebe devised the name for the fifth function archetype himself, calling it the Opposing Personality, because it opposes the first or heroic function.

Another use for the eight-function model has been advanced by Bob McAlpine (ISTJ). McAlpine wants to use the function archetypes not only to recognize our unconscious but also to consciously develop its functions. Together, Beebe and McAlpine have devised trainings to help people: a) recognize and manage their shadow functions, and b) begin to develop all eight functions. McAlpine’s work has also investigated the relationship dynamics that occur as the functions express themselves, not just within the individual’s psyche but in interpersonal relationships. Beebe’s theory differs from that of Naomi Quenk, author of In the Grip, in that Beebe believes that much of the dysfunction Quenk attributes to the inferior (4th) function should be attributed to the unconscious functions, 5th through 8th. It should be noted that this numbering of the unconscious functions does not imply a developmental sequence.

Source: www.apt-nc.org/type-theories/eight-function-model/ (I like this link because it has the layout for all of the types)


1. Hero/Heroine-Dominant: Organizes adaptation, initiates individualization Self

2. Good Parent- Auxiliary: Nurtures and protects others, sets standard of care Others

3. Eternal child-Tertiary: Copes by improvising Others

4. Anima/Animus-Inferior: Gateway to the unconscious, creates ideals that are hard to live up to Self (Ego)

5.Opposite personality: Opposite personality defends by offending, seducing or avoiding, provides self-criticism Self

6. Critical parent: Critical parent defends by refusing, belittling and inactivating Others

7. Trickster: Trickster creates double-binds circumvents obstacles Others

8. Demon: Demon undermines self and others, creates opportunities to develop integrity.

Source: presentobsessions.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/the-john-beebe-8-function-model/

In terms of socionics slots and blocks:
Ego Block
Base/Creative = Hero/Heroine
Creative = Good Parent

Super-Id Block
Hidden Agenda/Mobilizing = Eternal child
Suggestive/Seeking= Anima/Animus

Id Block Block
Ignoring = Opposite
Demonstrative = Critical Parent/Senex/Witch

Super-Ego Block
Vulnerable/PoLR = Trickster
Role = Demon

Other Sources:
69.39.227.160/articles/winter08-evolving-the-eight-function-model.pdf (required reading imo)


www.erictb.info/archetypes.html (for more detailed descriptions)

Sources for the terms (copy-paste): wikisocion.net/en/index.php?title=Functions

sherlockcharacteranalysis.tumblr.com/post/30783646176/an-overview-of-the-eight-function-model

I. Ego Block

1A) Leading function
The leading function, also called the base, program, or simply first function, is an individual's most dominant psychic function. It describes in general terms the person's most comfortable thinking patterns, perspective on life, state of mind, and behavioral style as well as their positive motivational forces (what they pursue most vigorously when they have a choice). The leading function is critical to interpersonal dynamics because people constantly and inadvertently make judgments, assessments, and assumptions based on it. These comments and judgments portray a particular set of core values and share a common vector or general message, and those who the person interacts closely with must be accepting of this message for interaction to be cohesive and compatible.

Generally speaking, the leading function perceives, processes, and produces information most intensively. When a person "speaks" or "acts" from their leading function, they convey a sense of robust confidence and often begin to speak categorically, persuasively, and using exaggerations.

Proper development of one's leading function is generally seen as being crucial to personal development. This requires having people around you who are accepting of your core values and most natural, confident behavior styles. Profession-wise, the base function provides the best platform for developing a unique niche that will bring real value to other people. Rather than describing the professions a person would be best at, the base function describes a general approach and behavior style that can be successfully applied to virtually any field of activity.

Use of the base function comes effortlessly and produces a sense of internal satisfaction regardless of any external rewards. Base function activities can easily be developed into highly effective and productive skills, but there is also a tendency to indulge too much in the base function just because it is easy and rewarding. When overuse becomes extreme, a feeling of emptiness and pointlessness follows, and use of the base function stops bringing satisfaction.

The influence of the base function on perception and core values is so strong that people tend to project these values onto other people: everyone else surely must want the same things that your base function strives for. This projection is often a source of conflict with other people who have opposing values, but it is also one of the mechanisms for dualization. The base function's empathy towards others stimulates duals (and, to a certain degree, activators and semi-duals) to try to take care of the other person's problems with the corresponding function. This is exactly what the dual is looking for subconsciously, since one dual's base function is the other's suggestive function. However, in many other cases a person's natural interest in aspects of other people's lives that correspond to his own base function creates mistrust and strained relations.

According to the dimensionality of functions, the base function is able to effectively process and apply personal experience and social norms, present different solutions for different situations, and recognize and extrapolate the development of this aspect of information over time. The time dimension, which is shared by the demonstrative function, allows it to "fill in the blanks" between two related aspects, thus allowing it to infer the existence of previously unknown content.

1B) Hero: the Hero is our strongest self, who we use to promote our “Good,” and who we become when we need to “save” someone (or the world). Not surprisingly, the dominant function, being the strongest, most developed, and most conscious function, is used by a type to play this role

2A) Creative function
The creative function is also called the function of implementation, implementing, realizing, or second function. This function describes the primary mode of application of the base function. If the base function forms the core of the individual's personal quests and interests ("What's in it for me?", "What do I want to be?"), the creative function describes his main instrument for interacting with the rest of society ("How do I make contact with other people?"). For extroverts this means creating a context for people to interact within, and for introverts — creating a product worthy of being included in interaction.

People use their creative function less than their base function and attach less personal significance to it, although due to the nature of blocked functions it is usually used in tandem with the base function. In their value system, their creative function activities seem less personally significant than their base function activities. When other people try to make this function the main criterion for everything, light irritation can arise, and the person may try to "correct" the other person's emphasis by presenting a perspective from his base function and suggesting that this is more important. Also, when other people express problems having to do with this information aspect, the person quickly takes interest and tries to present solutions — but always through his own base function. For instance, an SEE (SeFi) will try to help other people solve their  Fi related problems (relationships and understanding between people) through a Se perspective (making sure you know what you want and are trying to achieve it; understanding the territorial aspect of interaction; recognizing the obvious "dumb things" that people are doing that are ruining the relationship). When people get to use their creative function to help others' problems, they feel needed and fulfilled and begin to live more fully. Likewise, criticism in this area is more sensitive and unpleasant than in the base function.

Use of the creative function — while frequent and effortless — seems to turn on and off. One moment the person may seem highly interested in this aspect, and the next — totally indifferent. This may jar people for whom this aspect of reality is of more supreme importance and who expect more consistent attention and effort in this area. A good example of this is one's interaction with their mirror partner; each person's leading function is subject to the other's creativity function, so even though both partners do share similar worldviews, they are apt to 'correct' or add on to the other's rigid and finalized points.

2B) Good Parent: the Nurturer is the role we take on when we want to take care of others, to positively support and facilitate another’s growth. The auxiliary function, being strong but less tied-up with the ego than the dominant, is most suited for this role.